Blogging: get benefits from a dead blog

Blogging takes a commitment of time and energy. Both are in short supply: we each have just 24 hours in a single day. So it's natural that sometimes blogging falls by the wayside, and you realize that (SHOCK) you haven't updated a blog in months.

Relax -- blogging should be fun: if it's not fun for you, stop doing it. :-) Don't feel guilty about a dead blog, but do take steps to ensure that you still get value from the blog, even if you're not updating it.

Firstly, ask yourself why you created the blog.

There are many reasons for starting a blog: creating a portfolio blog to get blog jobs, creating a platform and online presence for yourself, making money, for fun, for a project which didn't work out, etc.

Write down your reason.

Now work out how you can use your "dead" blog in the months and years to come.

Here are some ideas.

1. If you created a portfolio blog

There's nothing further you need to do. The blog is a testament to your blogging expertise, so don't feel guilty if you don't have time to update it. Add the blog's URL to your electronic and paper portfolios, and add it as one of your sites on social networking sites like LinkedIn and Facebook.

2. If you created the blog to build your platform

If your blog's aim was to get you visibility, then link to the blog from other online properties you own. And as in #1 above, link to it from social networking sites.

Add a short post to the blog: "This blog is no longer being updated. Visit my new blog/ site at __________, and contact me at _______"

3. If your blog is a money-maker

If your blog's making money for you, there's little you need to do. Chances are you're still making an income from it, but the income will drop as the site loses presence in the search engines.

I have many "money" blogs, and sometimes I don't update them for months. The money continues to come in from advertising and affiliate revenue.

In your diary, make a note to review the blog once a month. You don't need to add content, but change any affiliate links which haven't made a sale within the month. Swap the old links for a newer product which may make sales for you.

4. If your blog is for a defunct project

Follow the advice in #1 above -- use the blog as part of your portfolio, or sell it.

5. If you no longer need the blog, sell it

If the blog's of no further use to you as a part of your portfolio or for any other reason, sell it -- there are many sites online where you can sell a blog.

Big tip: old blogs like old wines, increase in value over time. Search engines like Google give authority status to older sites, so your apparently worthless blog today may bring in big dollars tomorrow. Let the blog age -- look on it as an online investment, because that's what it is.

Never, ever DELETE a blog. A few months back a writer told me she'd deleted a ten year old site ... she almost cried when I told her that that site would have easily brought her $15,000 to $20,000 on Sitepoint.

Want to know how to make money blogging? Professional blogging is one of the skills you'll discover in Sell Your Writing Online NOW (SYWON) training. It's an essential skill for a Web writing career.

Discover the world of Web writing - make a great income writing from home, or from anywhere

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Blogging: get benefits from a dead blog

Blogging takes a commitment of time and energy. Both are in short supply: we each have just 24 hours in a single day. So it's natural that sometimes blogging falls by the wayside, and you realize that (SHOCK) you haven't updated a blog in months.

Relax -- blogging should be fun: if it's not fun for you, stop doing it. :-) Don't feel guilty about a dead blog, but do take steps to ensure that you still get value from the blog, even if you're not updating it.

Firstly, ask yourself why you created the blog.

There are many reasons for starting a blog: creating a portfolio blog to get blog jobs, creating a platform and online presence for yourself, making money, for fun, for a project which didn't work out, etc.

Write down your reason.

Now work out how you can use your "dead" blog in the months and years to come.

Here are some ideas.

1. If you created a portfolio blog

There's nothing further you need to do. The blog is a testament to your blogging expertise, so don't feel guilty if you don't have time to update it. Add the blog's URL to your electronic and paper portfolios, and add it as one of your sites on social networking sites like LinkedIn and Facebook.

2. If you created the blog to build your platform

If your blog's aim was to get you visibility, then link to the blog from other online properties you own. And as in #1 above, link to it from social networking sites.

Add a short post to the blog: "This blog is no longer being updated. Visit my new blog/ site at __________, and contact me at _______"

3. If your blog is a money-maker

If your blog's making money for you, there's little you need to do. Chances are you're still making an income from it, but the income will drop as the site loses presence in the search engines.

I have many "money" blogs, and sometimes I don't update them for months. The money continues to come in from advertising and affiliate revenue.

In your diary, make a note to review the blog once a month. You don't need to add content, but change any affiliate links which haven't made a sale within the month. Swap the old links for a newer product which may make sales for you.

4. If your blog is for a defunct project

Follow the advice in #1 above -- use the blog as part of your portfolio, or sell it.

5. If you no longer need the blog, sell it

If the blog's of no further use to you as a part of your portfolio or for any other reason, sell it -- there are many sites online where you can sell a blog.

Big tip: old blogs like old wines, increase in value over time. Search engines like Google give authority status to older sites, so your apparently worthless blog today may bring in big dollars tomorrow. Let the blog age -- look on it as an online investment, because that's what it is.

Never, ever DELETE a blog. A few months back a writer told me she'd deleted a ten year old site ... she almost cried when I told her that that site would have easily brought her $15,000 to $20,000 on Sitepoint.

Want to know how to make money blogging? Professional blogging is one of the skills you'll discover in Sell Your Writing Online NOW (SYWON) training. It's an essential skill for a Web writing career.

Discover the world of Web writing - make a great income writing from home, or from anywhere